Premier Middle East Energy Exhibition links with Electric Energy Transmission & Distrbution

“We are delighted to have Electric Energy Transmission & Distribution on board, as we know that this will give us strong exposure throughout the North American market which contains many of the world leaders in the energy industry” Sarah Woodbridge, Exhibition Director, Middle East Electricity Exhibition. “As Governments throughout the Middle East region continue to develop and enhance their energy infrastructures to deal with the massive increases in power demand that are resulting from population growth and the expansion of the industrial sector, there is great business potential for US and Canadian companies to win a share of the many multi-million dollar contracts that are announced on a regular basis - over $1 trillion will be invested over the next 20 years”.

The Middle East energy sector is extremely active, with substantial budgets being committed to projects that will strengthen the region’s generation and transmission capabilities. One of the key developments currently underway is the US$1.25 billion Gulf Power Grid, which will connect Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia by 2008, the UAE and Oman being added later. Viewed as an essential project by the countries of the GCC, it will enable the linked countries to use electricity from its neighbours in the case of emergency, ensuring greater stability of power supply and eliminating the risk of blackouts. It is also expected to eventually result in a pan-Arab power grid.

With cabling, substation construction and advanced networking required in each of the six countries, there is great business potential for both regional and international companies to win a share of the contracts, the first phase of which will be announced in September this year.

“The MENA region is one of the largest markets anywhere in the world for energy related products and services” said Sarah Woodbridge, Exhibition Director, Middle East Electricity Exhibition. “The growth of the industry here far exceeds global norms - Iran, for example, has grown its power generation output by 53% in the last eight years - and many international companies are therefore establishing and expanding their regional presence to compete for the many highly valuable contracts that are up for grabs.”

Acknowledged as one of the world’s most important trade events of its kind, rated amongst the world’s top five trade events by exhibitors and of vital strategic importance to international companies who are increasingly shifting their focus to the Middle East region, the strength of Middle East Electricity lies in the high number of senior decision makers that visit the show, which has been specifically designed to support the development of regional energy infrastructures and stimulate the energy industry. Strongly supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy, it acts both as a showcase for the global energy industry and a platform that allows the region’s key decision makers to see, first hand, the latest products and services that the world leaders have to offer.

The unique depth and focus of Middle East Electricity is the result of extensive on-going research and the close relationships that the organisers, IIR Exhibitions, have established with key Governmental, industry and business partners throughout the world. “We are totally committed to the continued development of Middle East Electricity in line with the needs of the region, the business objectives of exhibitors and the specific requirements of visitors.” added Woodbridge.

A stream of new developments, and the enthusiastic adoption of innovative technologies is further stimulating the growth of the energy industry – one of these, Bahrain’s US$225 million “Green City”, has been environmentally designed and ecologically oriented, and will have its own desalination and power plants using solar energy, plus a waste water treatment plant and sewerage system based on pressurised air and suction technology. Solar, wind and water power, alongside natural gas, are also being seriously considered as alternative energy sources that can generate income in Saudi Arabia, with natural gas topping the list as an eventual replacement for petrol.

Middle East Electricity 2006, which takes place at Dubai’s state-of-the-art International Exhibition Centre from February 5-8, 2006, has already attracted most of the leading names from the global energy industry - ABB, Eaton Electric, Ducab, Lucy Switchgear, Danway, LS Group, GE Energy, Perkins, Matsushita/Panasonic, Al Babtain, Cummins, Philips and Osram are all amongst the exhibiting companies. Already over 90% sold out, the show will this time feature additional country groups making a total of 18 pavilions confirmed.

The event comprehensively covers the energy industry, with bespoke sections for Lighting (which is virtually sold out), Natural Gas (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates account for 45% of total proven world gas reserves), Power Generation and New & Renewable Energy, reinforcing its position as the power behind the Middle East energy industry. “One of our prime objectives is to bring together key personnel from both regional and international Governments and the worlds leading energy companies - this in turn creates an environment in which the industry can grow dynamically, benefiting from exposure to and interaction with, companies that bring global industry best practices to the region” concluded Woodbridge.